The third week of the NFL season was basically a boom-or-bust type of week for running backs. Jeremiyah Love finally had his first 20-point game (at least in full PPR leagues). Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson both went off, and Derrick Henry had another multi-touchdown performance. Javonte Williams even had a good game for the Cowboys despite the loss.
Other running backs had disappointing weeks, including De’Von Achane and Breece Hall, who both left their games with injuries. Achane is out for the season, moving Ollie Gordon into the starting job, and he has a tough matchup against the Minnesota Vikings next week. Omarion Hampton and David Montgomery each had disappointing weeks, which are concerning for fantasy owners.
Going into Week 4 of the
season, here are the top starts and sits at running back.
Start - Bhayshul Tuten, Jacksonville Jaguars
Tuten wasn't bad in the first week, but he improved in the next two games and scored in those matchups. He has at least 13 attempts and a minimum of 65 rushing yards in every game so far and is starting to get involved in the passing game. The Cincinnati Bengals are a decent matchup for a running back, making this a game where Tuten should at least hit his projection.
Start - Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Last week was a rough outing for Irving with only 46 rushing yards and 12 receiving yards. On top of that, Tampa Bay just lost its starting quarterback and will start an undrafted rookie, which could make it harder for Irving to get going. However, he will get carries.
The Buccaneers have involved Irving in the passing game in each of the first three games, and with an inexperienced quarterback, they will probably keep doing that. Furthermore, Green Bay has a terrible run defense and has allowed a league-leading six rushing touchdowns to running backs. Irving should be able to capitalize on that weakness and produce well.
Start - Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans
Tony Pollard had a rough start to the season with only 99 rushing yards in the first two games and two receptions for no yards. However, against the New York Giants, he had 74 rushing yards and 22 receiving yards. While he has yet to score a touchdown this season, his production is trending in the right direction.
He is also facing the Baltimore Ravens, who just gave up 148 rushing yards last week to the Dallas Cowboys. Pollard could have a decent game, and after Breece Hall and De’Von Achane suffered injuries, it is good to have reliable running backs in the lineup, even if they don't produce big numbers.
Sit - Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers
Omarion Hampton has been getting a lot of carries, but his production took a dip in Week 3 against the Buffalo Bills. Hampton also happens to have no receiving upside with only three targets and two receptions in the first three weeks. On top of that, the Chargers are about to face the Seattle Seahawks, who have one of the better run defenses in the NFL and have not allowed a running back to score a rushing touchdown, and Hampton’s production seems rather touchdown-dependent.
This is a bad combination for his success this week. It may be hard to bench someone you drafted near the top of the draft, but it seems necessary for this week at least.
Sit - David Montgomery, Houston Texans
What happened to the Houston Texans’ offense after Week 1? The run game cannot get anything going, and it is showing in Montgomery’s fantasy production. He only has 43 rushing yards in the past two games and no touchdowns. However, his backup, Woody Marks, did score against the Indianapolis Colts. The Dallas Cowboys are a good matchup. But as last week against Indianapolis proved, the matchup does not matter. Montgomery is simply not startable right now.
Sit - Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals
Chase Brown’s fantasy production has slowly been decreasing since the first week of the season. The decrease in fantasy points is directly correlated with a decrease in targets and receiving yards in the passing game, and he only had a touchdown in the first week of the season. Jacksonville has been doing well against running backs so far this season, and they have only allowed one touchdown to running backs.
Between Brown’s decreasing fantasy points and how the Jaguars have done against backs so far, he is someone to consider leaving on the bench.
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Fantasy Football Start'em, Sit'em Week 4: RB Edition
